New water bottles refill stations will be redesigned with updated features
February 24, 2025
Ashfaq Ahmed, Senior Assistant Editor
Dubai Can Refill For Life citywide sustainability initiative has made a remarkable contribution towards combating plastic waste by cutting the consumption of over 30 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles in three years since its launch. DMO
Dubai: The pioneering Dubai Can Refill For Life citywide sustainability initiative has made a remarkable contribution towards combating plastic waste by cutting the consumption of over 30 million 500ml single-use plastic water bottles in three years since its launch.
In line with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan, this landmark project has also dispensed more than 15 million litres of drinking water through 53 refill stations strategically placed across the emirate.
Launched on February 15, 2022 by Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Defence, and Chairman of The Executive Council of Dubai, the Dubai Can initiative has reshaped how both residents and visitors stay hydrated in an eco-friendly way, fostering awareness of plastic alternatives and sustainability through its core projects, Refill for Life and Dubai Reef.
Plastic pollution
Yousuf Lootah, CEO of Strategy and Corporate Performance at the Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism (DET), said: “Through this initiative, Dubai has empowered residents and visitors to make environmentally conscious choices, while helping to reduce our carbon footprint. With continued support from our partners and the public, we are committed to continuing this momentum and fostering a shift in behaviour that reinforces Dubai’s position as a leading sustainable destination.”
Dubai Can is also aligned with the ambitious goals of the Dubai Economic Agenda D33 to further consolidate Dubai’s position as a leading global city for business and leisure, and DET’s Dubai Sustainable Tourism programme.
Refill stations
The initiative’s refill stations offer a convenient, eco-friendly alternative to single-use plastic bottles by providing free access to fresh, safe drinking water at key locations throughout Dubai. These stations are designed to be user-friendly and adhere to strict hygiene standards, making it easy for residents and visitors to hydrate around the city.
What partners say
Bader Anwahi, CEO of the Public Facilities Agency, Dubai Municipality, said: “ The Municipality has supported the initiative by providing several free water refill stations at Dubai Municipality facilities, parks and public beaches, which contributed to providing drinking water to residents and visitors and reducing the use of plastic water bottles.
Simonida Subotic, Vice President and Managing Director at talabat UAE, added: “As a tech company, we are committed to driving innovation that creates shared value and inspires lasting positive change. In the spirit of the UAE’s Year of Community in 2025, we continue to support sustainability and collective action, empowering people to make a difference in their city every day.”
Feryal Ahmadi, Chief Operating Officer, DMCC said: “Through the Dubai Can-Refill for Life initiative, we have witnessed first-hand the positive impact of the refill stations in JLT, which have helped eliminate almost two million single-use plastic water bottles in our district since their launch in 2022. As we celebrate the third anniversary of Dubai Can, we are committed to scaling up this initiative with new refill stations in 2025.”
Promoting a ‘refill culture’
All Dubai Can water refill stations across Dubai are designed to uphold the highest hygiene standards, fully complying with municipal, healthcare, and federal regulations. These stations provide fresh, safe drinking water, regularly tested to meet Dubai Municipality, GCC, and World Health Organisation standards. The water is maintained at a refreshing 10°C, ensuring it remains cool and safe for everyone to enjoy.
In the UAE, the average resident consumes around 450 plastic water bottles per year, contributing to a staggering 4 billion plastic bottles used annually across the country. The Dubai Can initiative continues to encourage both residents and visitors to reduce plastic waste, helping to prevent millions of bottles from ending up in landfills or polluting the oceans.
